There are a lot of indicators that people are from the Midwest. We are (generally) kind, we love football, and we get overly excited when anyone talks about our hometown.
But according to Twitter user @Alex_but_online, those aren’t the only things we’re guilty of.
[On a date]
Me: Ok don’t let her know you’re from the midwest
Date: You dropped your wallet
Me: Ope, thanks
— Alex, but online (@Alex_but_online) October 9, 2017
Well, Alex, now that you mention it, I do say “ope”. And now that I’ve realized it, I can’t help but notice everyone around me doing it as well.
If you’re one of the lucky ones who can’t be identified as a Midwesterner by this quirky habit, let me explain.
“Ope”, which rhymes with “soap”, is a combination of oops and sorry. I find myself saying it when I accidentally bump into someone in the grocery store, or when I drop something at work.
Alex and I aren’t the only ones, either.
the "ope" is real
— Ben Watts (@cableknitty) October 9, 2017
Does not everyone say "ope"?
— Alex Hemberger (@zanzie401) October 10, 2017
It didn't occur to me that everybody doesn't 'ope' I thought it was universal ????
— ?Happy Hollieween? (@HollyWithAnIE) October 10, 2017
Ope I did it again
— Joe Dobson (@joseph_dobson) October 10, 2017
One Twitter user even went as far as to provide proof.
Proof.? pic.twitter.com/9g6ZhVmCLh
— Stressica (@Jesss_Smithh) October 10, 2017